Diesel particulate filter ash removal

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method for reducing internal combustion engine contaminate and additive particulate matter from a particulate filter the method including accessing the filter and entraining particulate matter in a fluid stream. Further disclosed herein is an internal combustion engine particulate filter system including a canister, a filter media mounted in said canister and an access opening in said canister. Yet still further disclosed herein is a method for determining condition of a particulate filter in situ including establishing a vacuum value for a clean particulate filter in situ, establishing a vacuum value for a used particulate filter in situ; and comparing the established value for the clean filter versus the used filter.

1. A method for reducing diesel contaminant and additive particulate matter in an internal combustion engine particulate filter comprising:
 accessing said filter in an installed condition; 
 entraining said contaminant and additive particulate matter in an active, pulsating positive pressure fluid stream flowing in a direction opposite a fluid flow direction through said filter during normal operation of said filter while in the installed condition; and 
 applying a negative pressure to said filter. 
 
   
   
     2. A method for reducing diesel contaminant and additive particulate matter in an internal combustion engine particulate filter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said negative pressure is applied to an end of said filter associated with fluid entrance during normal operation of said filter. 
   
   
     3. A method for reducing diesel contaminant and additive particulate matter in an internal combustion engine particulate filter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said stream is a gas. 
   
   
     4. A method for reducing diesel contaminant and additive particulate matter in an internal combustion engine particulate filter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said stream is a liquid. 
   
   
     5. A method for reducing diesel contaminant and additive particulate matter in an internal combustion engine particulate filter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said stream is air. 
   
   
     6. A method for reducing diesel contaminant and additive particulate matter in an internal combustion engine particulate filter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said stream is water.